Severe weather and a deadly bus crash keep compassionate workers busy

WASHINGTON, DC -- Tragic events in the last two days have left people throughout the Midwest and the South reeling. Severe weather in the Midwest and the South and a devastating bus crash in Georgia are the latest events to which the American Red Cross is responding. Employees, volunteers and partners of the Red Cross are present in communities across the United States and are part of the response.

Red Cross chapters near Enterprise, AL, and Americus, GA, are providing shelter, warm meals and comfort for victims of a rash of tornadoes. Several mental health workers are also on-site, supporting the grieving relatives of those affected.

Also in Georgia, a deadly bus crash occurred in the city of Atlanta during the early morning rush hour. Local chapters in Atlanta and Ohio have fielded calls from
friends and family of the Bluffton University baseball players who were involved in the crash. Red Cross workers are on the scene attending to the needs of emergency responders as well as the loved ones of the passengers from the bus. Counseling and ‘safe and well’ information are being provided to those affected at a family care center.

In Iowa, due to widespread power and telecommunication outages and blizzard conditions, power and phone service may not be restored for several days. During this critical time, family and friends may not be able to reach one another. Local Red Cross chapters are providing shelters, meals and essential welfare and safety information to many in need. The Red Cross depends on community-based groups and partner organizations to meet the extensive needs.

The Red Cross always encourages preparedness, but also safety during unfortunate events.

Visit http://www.RedCross.org or call your local chapter for more information.

To donate your time, money or blood please call 1-800-RED CROSS in order to help.

All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the tornadoes in Alabama and Georgia, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent.

If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org .

HISPANIC PR WIRE

Boy donates his savings to the Red Cruz during the Hola! Arkansas Health & Safety Fair in Little Rock.